As far and away the best cruiserweight of all times, and one of the greatest heavies ever, having gone the distance with a compassionate Valuev who was drugged and getting a somewhat gift decision at that, but destroying ATG A-Force, in a shocker, valiantly almost knocking out a cheating (ref-allowed) Wladimir Klitschko with a broken toe. A man with Sugar Ray Leonard moves but the power of George Foreman and speed of Pongsaklek Wonjongkam and slickness of Money Mayweather. The most colourful and entertaining man of his size since Ali.
David Haye was a good, big cruiserweight. Highly explosive. As a decently sized heavyweight among many very large ones, he took advantage of good mobility, head movement, blazing hand-speed and a cautious, low output, ambushing style to earn a title. He was prone to getting KD'd and had suspect stamina when forced to higher activity levels. He will be remembered as one of history's most vulnerable and dangerous cruisers, and a good, top heavyweight of his time, who went the distance with long-reigning Wladimir Klitschko, and doing better than most had in the previous five years against him.

Ultimately, he will be rated as a colourful Klitschko opponent and lesser titlist at heavyweight and under the likes of J.C. Gomez, Dwight Muhammad Qawi and Jirov at cruiserweight. His run at the top too short, his go at a second division too undistinguished, his best win not good enough to make up for it, to be placed with any high regard in boxing history.

Positively, for achieving status as the WBO, WBA, WBC and Ring cruiserweight Champion, WBA heavyweight Champion and earning wins over six or seven different world champions, all in under thirty professional fights, and sparking more interest in the heavyweight division for its era than did most in it. In addition, going to the cruiser and heavyweight champions' chosen battleground to challenge for their titles and winning two of three. And, lastly, for very cool hair.